The increasing cyber-threat and the need to safeguard online domains was the fulcrum of a-3day (24-26 April, 2017) cyber security workshop with the theme “Cybercrime-Threats and Counter Measures” at the National Defense Academy-NDC Abuja. The workshop had attendants from the public and private sectors. While addressing the participants during his welcome speech, Major General Babagana Monguro (rtd), the National Security Adviser (NSA) who was represented by Mr. Abba Ibrahim, elucidated the magnitude of cybercrime on Nigeria’s socio-economic wellbeing.

He defined cybercrime as the one committed using a digital device that is connected to the Internet to target another digital device(s) on the Internet. In the course of the workshop, participants were enlightened on how the perpetrators have graduated from targeting computers to some other smart devices like phones, TVs, cars, aircraft, drones, cameras and etc.

Interestingly, the world receives 8 new Internet users each second and 683,443 each day but quite unfortunate that insignificant few among the Internet users deploy protective mechanisms that counter online criminal acts such as: terrorism, extremism, identity or money theft, cyber bullying, child abuses and trafficking, viruses, stalking among others.

Among the dignitaries on attendance was the Auditor-General for the Federation Mr. Anthony M. Ayine who requested for strong collaboration and synergy between all stakeholders in Nigeria to combat the criminals and safeguard our cyberspace. He further listed some preventive measures that must be considered if the menace would be reduced to the barest minimum. Please read more.

Day 2 of the workshop witnessed the warm reception of Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff, General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq and his entourage to NDC. General Huq shared his experience on how terrorism and extremism was brought under submission and how such strategies could be replicated in Nigeria’s situation.

Officials from Ministry of Defense, NCC-Nigeria Communication Commission, Federal Road Safety Corps-FRSC, AfICTA-Africa ICT Alliance and Office of the Auditor General of the Federation OAuGF also graced the occasion.